Tenerife has been condemned by the European Court of Justice for failing to meet basic EU wastewater treatment standards, with raw sewage flowing into the sea in multiple towns. The ruling, which covers 29 urban areas across Spain, identifies Tenerife as one of the worst-affected regions.

Twelve towns on the island, including Adeje, Arona, Candelaria, San Isidro, Puerto de Santiago, Playa la Arena and the Orotava Valley, were cited for releasing untreated wastewater and failing to monitor compliance with EU rules. The legal case began in 2021 when the European Commission issued a formal warning to Spain.

Although some improvements were made, Brussels decided in 2023 that progress was too slow and referred the matter to the EU’s top court.

While no fines have yet been imposed, Spain could face significant penalties if the problems persist, placing added pressure on national, regional and island authorities to accelerate improvements.

Public frustration with the situation has been clear for months. In May this year, more than 100 protesters gathered at Playa Honda near Playa de las Americas, a hotspot for British tourists, calling for urgent action against polluting sewage discharges.

Organised by the Tenerife Association of Friends of Nature (ATAN) and local surfing group Alianza Local, the demonstration ended with a “paddle-out,” in which dozens of surfers entered the water to show solidarity.

“Locals and tourists are literally swimming in raw sewage,” said an ATAN spokesperson. “It’s dangerous and no one seems to be worried about the consequences.

“It’s an irresponsible attitude from the Canarian government to hide this situation from the tourism industry.”

A representative from Alianza Local added: “We are not going to stop denouncing this situation until what should be basic is guaranteed: clean seas, safe beaches, and institutional accountability.”

In response to the EU ruling, Tenerife’s Cabildo stressed that it is not directly responsible for the situation, pointing to decades of urban growth without adequate sewage infrastructure.

Officials said that the court’s findings reflect conditions as they were in 2020 and do not account for current improvements.

According to the Cabildo, investment in wastewater treatment on Tenerife is now at its highest ever, with numerous treatment plants and pipelines completed, under construction, or fully funded.

The court found that sewage collection systems were insufficient in tourist and residential areas such as Adeje-Arona, Golf del Sur, Acantilado de los Gigantes, Puerto de Santiago, and the Orotava Valley, and that wastewater was not receiving the required level of treatment before release.

Authorities also failed to properly monitor discharges to ensure EU compliance.